Frances Ott Allen

Frances Ott Allen (nee Franziska Charlotte Ott) passed away peacefully at home February 23, 2023. Frances was born on October 21, 1934 in Chicago, to Otto and Franziska (Fanny) Ott (nee Dreher), who emigrated from Bad Munster am Stein and Neckarhausen, Hohenzollern to Chicago in the 1920’s. The family moved to Lake Bluff and later Lombard, Il. Frances attended school in Lake Bluff and Lombard, and university at DePauw University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Kentucky, Lexington with a Masters Degree in Modern Language. Over the years, Frances resided in Illinois, Germany, Vermont and finally, Ohio.

An accomplished genealogical researcher, historian, and a recognized author, Frances was employed for many years as German Cataloger in the University Libraries at the University of Cincinnati, and was especially interested in the German-Americana Collection. Her publications include a book listing German books printed in Cincinnati: Cincinnati German Imprints: A Checklist (1993).

Frances participated in many German-American cultural organizations and history projects over the years. She was Secretary and Publicity Director of the Society for German-American Studies, Chairperson of the Public Affairs Committee of the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati, and a member of the Friends of the German Heritage Museum of Cincinnati. She also was a member of the German Service at Concordia Lutheran Church. 

Frances was also an avid artist and photographer, who’s modern art was shown in galleries.  Frances was a brave single mother in the 1970s and 80s and a trail-blazing professional woman academic for the times.  She was an early adopter of personal computers and a savvy technology user in her personal and professional life. These skills allowed her to remain independent and self-sufficient all through the pandemic and into her later years. She was a creative and kind soul with a soft spot for dogs, who always loved her family unreservedly.

Beloved mother of her son Paul, her daughter-in-law Rose, and a very proud grandmother of her grandson Finley, she is also survived by her extended family in Minneapolis and Germany. Her ashes and those of her parents will be interred at a yet to be determined location in Chicago with a family celebration of life to follow. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dwifuneralhome.com